Oscar Hammerstein's Carmen Jones

Joe, a military policeman about to make officer, is infatuated with the flirtatious and sexy Carmen Jones. Their ill-fated romance comes to a grisly end by the conclusion of the drama but not before their liaison has wreaked havoc with their lives and all who cross their paths.

Notes:
Includes original theatrical trailer and rare movietone news footage
Based on the opera Carmen by Georges Bizet
Videodisc release of the 1954 motion picture
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1954 musical that is notable for a few reasons. It was an adaptation of Bizet's opera "Carmen," with new lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein. What distinguished the adaptation is that is has an all-black cast, which was pretty remarkable in the 50s. It's also the most famous role for the black actress Dorothy Dandridge, who received an Oscar nomination for playing the title character. Harry Belafonte and Pearl Bailey co-star. It's a bright, splashy musical with a dark heart. The downside is that many of the actors' singing was dubbed by professional singers. Given that Belafonte and Dandrige both had recording careers, this decision feels idiotic. Still it's a film of great cultural significance and a showcase for some talented actors who rarely got the starring roles they deserved. Produced and directed by Otto Preminger.

Challenging production problems translating Bizet's opera into different space/time/cast sometimes detract. Worked out pretty good, but there are several annoying aspects, like bad lip syncing for many, including Belafonte. Lots of good aspects, too, though. Great crowd scenes, much more.

Bizet’s classic opera is given a fresh American twist in Otto Preminger’s sumptuous widescreen technicolor production based on the Broadway play. Joe, a promising young Air Force lieutenant, forsakes his career, his future, and the only woman who ever loved him when he falls under the romantic spell of Carmen Jones, a fiery seductress who works at a factory adjacent to his barracks. But Carmen proves incapable of remaining faithful to any one man, a fact which will lead to tragedy and a spectacular fall from grace. With an all-black cast headlined by Harry Belafonte, Dorothy Dandridge, and Pearl Bailey, plus updated lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein set to Bizet’s classical score, Carmen Jones is one of those rare adaptations which actually manages to build upon its source. Although some of the lip-syncing is poorly timed, a few passages quaintly racist (“Joe, you is my man...”), and the more demanding pieces obviously dubbed (they hired professional opera singers to record the soundtrack), there is an undeniable passion and frank eroticism here which translate seamlessly from 19th century Spain to contemporary Chicago. Olé!

"Carmen Jones" is a great opera and possibly being overlooked the KCLS patrons. The entire cast is African American, which is quite surprising for a musical produced in 1954. Director Otto Preminger picked Harry Belafonte, Dorothy Dandridge and Pearl Bailey to head his cast. Oscar Hammerstein II wrote the book that the screenplay is based upon. Otto Preminger would go in in a few years to make the opera Porgy and Bess with Dorothy Dandridge as Bess. KCLS has 5 copies of this Bizet Opera and from the other reviews at this web sight, it is universally praised.
P.S. Seattle Opera Fans: A lecture series starts at the KCLS of Federal Way (on 1st Ave.) with a Opera Expert explaining the upcoming Opera Season. Check with them for dates and times of these great lectures.

nutty7688
Feb 13, 2013

Love, Love, Love this musical. One of the best besides "A Fiddler on the Roof"

Incredible film. I don't like musicals much, but I absolutely love this one. I've always been a fan of Bizet's original "Carmen" so seeing a all black variation of it is awesome. Black cinema today is not what it can be. Though this movie has some stereotypes, it is not overtly offensive. For its day, the 1950's, and even now, the 21st century, this is an impeccable film. A true classic in black, and general cinema.